Douglas Fir wrote:
Paul
Is this the small lawnmower size rotary APU you are talking about?
Doug in Japan
It is one 10KW example. It was based on the Norton/Midwest/Diamond engine.
Apparently the auxiliary combustion chamber did not work out so it was
unsuccessful IMHO.
Wankel Gmbh built some a bit larger (about 75KW) using the same direct
injection
spark assisted approach Francois is using to burn diesel or jet fuel.
Altair in San Diego has also built a few gasoline powered versions based
on a one rotor Mazda. Some with aluminum end housings detonation coated
with silicon carbide. I have a lot more pictures of the Wankel Gmbh engine
if you are interested.
Paul Lamar
Paul, or Vance
I am looking for something in the 25KW range. Preferably a small turbine
with a PM generator.
Depending on size the unit will go in my DeLorean. Before you groan I am
doing this hybrid the 'old' series way like we did at university. Small
60/amp.hr battery pack. 250 lbs. with 120v DC motor. The car doesn't have
to be fast but must go to Tokyo on the highway, which is a distance of
250km.
Yes it I know it would be awesome to put a 3 rotor in it. Not interested.
The car is too big and handles terribly around the little country roads here.
Drives like a boat until you get it out on the highway at highspeed. On snow
it will not turn a corner without considerable ballast in the front. But I
digress. This project is for the local highschool kids as well as being a
demo test bed for the hydrogen generator I invented. Thus the turbine
interest.
Doug in Japan
Well Doug the Capstone approach looks ideal for your needs. You could always
get a large turbo charger and build your own. You will have to do some R&D on
burner design. Many people have built gas turbine engines out of turbo
chargers
in the past. Most APU's are glorified turbo chargers. I think I saw some plans
or kits advertised on the internet. Also perhaps advertised in the back of
Popular Mechanics or Popular Science. Does it have to make 250 KM before
refueling?
To make the DeLorean handle on the back roads you need a rear sway bar.
If it already has one make it larger in diameter. Find a car racing outfit
and they will fix you right up.
Not a lot you can do in the snow except perhaps what you are already doing.
Paul Lamar
Thanks Paul,
I'll look around the NET since my limited pile of Pop. Mech. didn't turn up
anything.
Months ago I looked at some to the small turboprop jet engines made by Wren
and although incredible nice they were two small for my needs. As for turbo
tachs... as Monty mentioned is the way to go if you are making up a turbo
compound unit and can put a pickup near the intake of the compressor shaft.
However I think you want to test without modifying the turbine shaft.
Yes on the 250km. non stop drive. This is proof of that the compact H2
system will work. Huge pressurized tanks of H2 are not needed.
BTW the DeLorean is not a good car to make a hybrid from. Incrediably heavy
with FRP foam sandwich body and stainless cosmetic skins bolted on top.
Strong but heavy.. I am a little prejudiced but the best thing going for it
is the comfortable seats and stereo system. The kids (who don't drive yet)
like the gull wing doors and the fact the type was in the "Back to tha
Flutuca" movies series.
doug in Japan
Mazda had a huge tank in the trunk of the H2 powered RX8 and as I recall they
got only about 140 miles on a tank of H2. 250 Km is about 150 miles.
It is kind of ironic I was called into UCLA about twenty years ago to help
the students design and build a H2 powered car. Never came to pass but not
my fault. I also co authored an IEEE paper with some Phd's from Los Alamos
on testing a H2 fuel cell powered golf cart in 1977. Is it H2's time yet?
What is your secret? :)
Paul Lamar
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